Here you will find a mix of what matters: something that may make you laugh, cry, fume, or simply shake your head. Whatever you do, I hope it makes you think.

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Be Watchful

A lion can teach us many things about being observant or watchful. It can also teach us about patience. Moreover, it reminds us that we must be always vigilant. The lion may lack the speed and agility of a jaguar, but it did not get the title “King of the beasts” for no reason. What it lacks in speed, it makes up in strength and cunning. Because of the latter, it has been able to kill animals like elephants that are much larger than its size.

It is interesting to note that a lion’s heart and lungs are very small so it rarely tries to overtake its prey and prefers to stalk them. Observers have noted that the lion does most of its hunting under the cover of night and watches its prey for a very long time before attacking. Usually, they travel undetected in groups, stealthily encircling their prey until they have an opening, and then they pounce. The prey may be able to smell the predator and escape death. However, if it is alone, it may become food for the lion who immediately suffocates its victim.

Lions look for areas of vulnerability in a group and will invariably attack the weak and young. Satan, like the lion is a predator – the only difference is that the devil does not rest from his pursuit. He and his minions are sizing us up 24/7 to find a weakness in us that the can use to destroy us. The Bible warns us to be on guard against the Evil one: “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8, NIV).

Our only protection against him is the armor of God. We cannot ward him off or overcome him in our strength because he is a wily creature. Therefore, make yourself Satan-proof by:

Finally, [being] strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people (Ephesians 6:10-18).